If you have sustained injuries after a burn accident, it is likely that there will be lasting effects after the burns have healed. The least severe type of burn is a first degree burn, which typically heals in less than 10 days and does not usually leave scars. Second-and-third degree burns are more severe, but with proper medical care, scarring and other issues are often controlled. The ability to manage a burn depends on the severity, how widespread the burns are, your age, and your overall health.
Scarring and Pain are Common
The peer-reviewed journal, The Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters, provides medical professionals with the latest information on the management of burn injuries. After conducting long-term studies on burn patients, the journal reports that physical constraints arise from pain, scarring, and contractures. Contractures occur when a burn scar thickens over time, tightening the skin and restricting movements, especially if the scarring is over a joint. Scarring typically begins to appear within a few months of the burn injury, peaks at about six months, and then stabilizes within 12 to 18 months. Additionally, contractures can impact how successful skin grafts are. When affecting the lower body, walking and sitting may be difficult. Upper body contractures can hinder tasks that require fine motor skills, including daily activities such as grooming, eating, and dressing.
Each patient has their own pain tolerance, which is why physicians must be aggressive in managing it. With inadequate pain control, burn patients may develop prolonged and acute anxiety, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Are There Emotional Factors That Affect Burn Patients?
Many burn patients suffer from depression due to disfigurement, pain, physical limitations, and body image. You may find yourself questioning how to adjust to your new role in society after a burn injury. It is also common to experience fatigue as a result of depression during your recovery.. Burn injuries often have emotional and psychological effects, which is why most burn centers provide psychologists or psychiatrists to bolster coping mechanisms related to long-term effects of burn injuries.
Additional Long-Term Challenges Burn Patients Face
The skin is your body’s largest organ. It plays a vital role in regulating your temperature and prevents bacteria from invading your body. When the skin is severely damaged by burns, your body temperature can fall below 95 degrees, resulting in hypothermia. This condition can lead to infections, recurring hospital stays, and discomfort.
When large areas of burned skin are removed, patients also become at-risk for bleeding disorders and blood loss, which may require transfusions and ongoing medical supervision.
According to The Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters, burn patients often experience itching, particularly during the first year following the injury. This itching usually decreases over time, with about 44 percent of patients experiencing mild itching from four to 10 years post-surgery. Research found that for some individuals, itching can persist even 15 years after a burn injury. An often overlooked long-term effect of a burn injury is its impact on sleep. Severe burns alter hormone levels and other chemicals in the body, causing restless sleep, nightmares, and trouble falling and staying asleep. These disturbances may continue after physically healing but are most prevalent during the recovery stage.
Talk to an Attorney About Compensation for Your Burn Injuries
If you have suffered burn injuries, it is important to recognize that a claim for your medical care exceeds the initial days or months spent in the hospital. At Schechter Shaffer & Harris, we value our clients and work tirelessly to win them the compensation they deserve. Contact us today if you have any questions regarding the long-term effects of a burn injury.
